Can the Cinderella Complex Be Undone?

Research tells us that books are often the primary source for the presentation of societal values to young children. They are a powerful vehicle for the socialization of gender roles. Given this, then what are our young girls (and boys for that matter) learning about gender roles when we read them such tales as Cinderella over and over again?

The females in stories such as Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel are always sweet, kind, innocent, and dependent. Cinderella, Snow and Rapunzel are all depicted as victims of circumstances with limited ability to get out of their situations. When our daughters are given these powerful messages about being female, forfeiting power over to a male becomes natural because this is what they see on a daily basis. This thought pattern begins at a young age and permeates into adulthood.

So, as parents, what can you do about this? As parents can you really avoid all the stories that show females in limited roles? My answer to that question is no. You can, however, teach your children to look at these books with a critical eye and to realize that much of what they are reading does not fit current times.

Many of these “Cinderella” tales were written by men when women had limited education and career choices. Women no longer have to wait for marriage (or the handsome prince) to be happy. You can have a strong impact on your daughter if you teach her to think critically about what she is reading to see if it makes sense to her. Why does Cinderella need a prince or marriage to get out of her situation? Create solutions where Cinderella betters herself through education, or refuses to be treated so poorly. Talk about why Cinderella is so passive in her role as a victim.

I would also suggest that your children have the opportunity to rewrite the stories and be able to discuss alternative endings, ones that are more congruent with today’s society….hopefully ones that depict women as strong, independent and smart problem solvers.